Why It’s Important to Have an STD Check When You’re Sexually Active

Most people find their sexual experiences pleasurable, regardless of the circumstances that lead to them happening. However, not all people are aware of, or take necessary precautions to prevent, STDs. While everyone who has sex is at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases at some point, those who are sexually active face a higher chance of having them. If you’re someone who is sexually active, it’s essential that you should get yourself an STD check to find out if you’re safe or not.

What Are STDs and How Does One Get Infected by them?

STDs stand for sexually transmitted diseases which can be spread from person to person through intimate contact.

STDs are also referred to as venereal diseases (VD) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Viruses and bacteria cause STDs, but the ones brought about by the former are often rendered incurable.

The most common misconception about sexually transmitted diseases is that one can only get infected by them through penis-to-vagina sexual intercourse.

You can get sexually transmitted diseases through an infected area of your skin coming into contact with another person’s skin.

You can also get sexually transmitted diseases by performing either oral or anal sex if your mouth, anus or genitals have tiny cuts on them where sexually transmitted diseases can easily infect you.

What Are the Main Types of Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

Some of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases include the following:

Chlamydia

Genital warts

Gonorrhea

Herpes

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Syphilis

Why Is It Important to Have an STD Check When You’re Sexually Active?

Sexually transmitted diseases can cause a considerable amount of harm in not just your sexual but your overall health as well¾especially if you’re sexually active or have numerous partners. Worse, sexually transmitted diseases can become incurable and may not only cause various health impediments, but could also be fatal. If you’re still hesitating to have an STD check, here are some reasons why you should change your mind about it:

The most common reason as to why a lot of sexually active people are hesitant to get themselves tested for sexually transmitted diseases is that they feel that they’re being pressured by society to have an STD check just because they’re sexually active.

Disclosing your sexually active lifestyle with a total stranger, or in this case a health professional, might feel a little awkward at first, but talk to your family and friends, and find recommendations for a doctor you feel you can trust. Just remember that a short period of embarrassment is a small price to pay to ensure your health and well-being.

While you’re not necessarily required by the law or your government to get yourself tested for any sexually transmitted diseases if you’re sexually active, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed to ask a doctor you know if an STD check is something that would be beneficial/necessary for you.

2. You may not be aware if/when sexually transmitted diseases have infected your body.

Sexually transmitted diseases often have symptoms that appear at first glance to be eerily similar to most other communicable diseases such as the common cold or flu, thus making them a lot more difficult to diagnose than you may have initially thought.

Most sexually transmitted diseases are accompanied by symptoms almost identical to that of either the common cold or flu. Symptoms such as muscle aches, fever, a sore throat, and swollen glands may be ignored¾preventing appropriate treatment for an STD.

Some sexually transmitted diseases don’t even show any symptoms at all, which make them a lot harder to diagnose. In addition, the chances of it being spread by you to another person are a lot higher.

3. Most sexually transmitted diseases can be treated when detected early.

The good news is that early detection via an STD check can reduce the chances of them infecting your body further.

Sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can be easily treated with a single dose of antibiotics.

On the other hand, while sexually transmitted diseases caused by viruses are unfortunately incurable, you can lessen the risk of infecting another person by taking antiviral drugs.

You should have an STD check done regularly, especially after sexual activity with a new partner. Even if the possibility that you have an STD is minimal, it’s important to visit a doctor as soon as possible so that any sexually transmitted diseases you might have caught can be treated faster.

4. Having an STD check doesn’t take much time at all.

If you’ve been shying away from having an STD check conducted to you by your doctor because you think it would involve painful injections or a lengthy process, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Most STD checks usually only involve you having to urinate in a cup, and not much else.

For HIV tests, a cotton swab will only be rubbed in your mouth and results can be provided in less than 30 minutes.

5. Having an STD check takes away any doubts you might have if you’ve acquired any sexually transmitted diseases.

Leaving both your sexual and overall health to chance won't let you become aware if you have any sexually transmitted diseases until it’s too late.

Seeking a qualified health professional for an STD check will allow you to be more informed on what you should do in case you’ve tested positive for any sexually transmitted diseases.

While not infallible, the results of an STD check are far more accurate than just guessing if you’ve acquired any sexually transmitted diseases or not.

There’s nothing wrong if you’re a sexually active person; especially in this day and age when sexual attraction and contact are becoming more and more prevalent in forming connections with other people. However, being sexually active also makes you more prone to succumbing to sexually transmitted diseases that can take away your life if left unchecked. For you to be able to enjoy your sexually active lifestyle the way you’ve always wanted to, you should read these reasons that may convince you of the importance of having an STD check. If you’re sexually active, head to the nearest doctor as soon as you have the time to do so and talk to them about an STD check. We hope you liked this article from athomestdtestkits.net.

Karla Hung

Karla is an advocate for sexual heath and works on educating young women and men about STDs and other sex related topics. She currently writes for athomestdtestkits.net to help bring awareness about sexually transmitted diseases. When she’s not writing, she’s out spending time with family.